Encouraging news on Ilyasova, Butler

There was some good news out of the Bucks practice session Tuesday as Ersan Ilyasova and Caron Butler both practiced and are considered probable for Wednesday's home game against the streaking Portland Trail Blazers.

Ilyasova has not played since the home opener on Nov. 2 against Toronto when he scored 14 points in 24 minutes.

He has missed the last six games with a sore right ankle. He initially hurt the ankle in the first exhibition game vs. Cleveland on Oct. 8. Ilyasova played in the first three regular-season games but never fully recovered from his injury.

"I'm close to 100% but still a little bit sore," Ilyasova said after Tuesday's practice at the Cousins Center. "I have to work on my conditioning, but I feel much better and am looking forward to try to play the next game."

Ilyasova admitted he might have come back a bit too soon but the Bucks had players injured and he wanted to help out when the season opened.

"I remember the first game in New York I kind of twisted my ankle multiple times and it got worse," ilyasova said. "It was good to have these days to recover and just get stronger."

Ilyasova believes he can help the Bucks' big-man rotation, which already is short-handed due to the long-term absence of center Larry Sanders, out following surgery on his right thumb.

"if we had foul trouble we would go to a short lineup," Ilyasova said. "When I'm out there I want to spread out the floor and give freedom to the point guard and big guy to operate the post.

"Scoring and defensively, just bring a whole lot of energy."

Butler was hurt in the last 2 minutes of the Bucks' 94-91 loss in Orlando last week. He suffered a sprained left shoulder when he hit the floor while battling for an offensive rebound. He missed the last two games.

Guard Brandon Knight (sore right hamstring) was limited in drills Tuesday and is doubtful to play against Portland.

The Trail Blazers have won seven straight games, their longest winning streak since 2007, and bring a glowing 9-2 mark into the BMO Harris Bradley Center on Wednesday. Former Marquette star Wesley Matthews has sparked Portland and drilled 5 of 8 three-point shots and scored 24 points in the Trail Blazers' 108-98 victory at Brooklyn on Monday night.